Garlic

What is Garlic?

Garlic, also known as Allium sativum, is a species of the onion family that has been used for centuries in cooking and traditional medicine. It is native to central Asia and has since been cultivated and widely used in many parts of the world. Garlic is known for its pungent smell and strong flavor, which make it a popular ingredient in many savory dishes.

For centuries, garlic has been utilized for its medicinal qualities, which are believed to include antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory effects. It has been employed to treat a range of conditions, such as colds, flu, and other respiratory illnesses. Additionally, garlic is considered to be beneficial to cardiovascular health, as it reduces the risk of heart disease by decreasing blood pressure.

Garlic is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes. It is often used to add flavor to soups, stews, and sauces, and is a common ingredient in many Mediterranean and Asian cuisines. Garlic can be eaten raw, cooked, or roasted, and is often used in combination with other herbs and spices to create complex and delicious flavors.

One of the most popular ways to consume garlic is to roast it, which brings out its natural sweetness and reduces its pungent smell. Roasted garlic can be used as a spread on bread, added to sauces and dips, or used as a topping for pizza and other savory dishes.

Garlic can also be pickled or fermented, which gives it a tangy and slightly sour flavor. Pickled garlic is often used as a condiment or topping, and is a popular ingredient in many Korean and Japanese dishes.

Garlic is a versatile and delicious ingredient that has been used for centuries in cooking and traditional medicine. Whether eaten raw, roasted, or pickled, garlic offers a range of health benefits and adds flavor and complexity to many different types of dishes. Whether you love it or hate it, there's no denying that garlic is a staple ingredient in many kitchens around the world.

Garlic Production in the World

China is the top country producing garlic in the world. As of 2022, China produced 21,337,798 tonnes of garlic, accounting for 73.20% of the total production. India is the world's second-largest garlic producer, with 3,208,000 tonnes, which represents 11.01% of the total production. In terms of garlic yield, Kuwait is the most productive country on the planet with 570,136. Bangladesh, Egypt, and Spain are the top three leading countries with '526,819', '396,478', '281,900', and '272,759' tonnes respectively. Mauritius has the lowest production of garlic in the world with only 49 tonnes in 2022. The world's total production of garlic was estimated at 29,149,440 tonnes in 2022.

Source: FAOSTAT

Top 10 countries by Garlic production 2022

Top Countries by Production of Garlic in 2022

Rank	Country	Production(Tonnes)	Acreage(Hectare)	Yield
1	China	21,337,798	820,470	260,068
2	India	3,208,000	393,000	81,628
3	Bangladesh	526,819	72,211	72,956
4	Egypt	396,478	17,946	220,924
5	Spain	281,900	29,800	94,597
6	South Korea	272,759	22,362	121,974
7	Ethiopia	218,807	29,131	75,112
8	Uzbekistan	210,348	6,319	332,882
9	United States	204,797	10,441	196,147
10	Myanmar	203,292	27,407	74,176
11	Algeria	202,060	11,249	179,628
12	Ukraine	188,980	20,500	92,185
13	Brazil	181,149	13,305	136,151
14	Argentina	154,685	16,003	96,658
15	Russia	147,744	17,365	85,081
16	Peru	113,573	9,821	115,644
17	Pakistan	107,986	12,586	85,799
18	Mexico	89,488	6,843	130,769
19	Kyrgyzstan	75,561	4,733	159,647
20	Nepal	74,763	9,943	75,192
21	North Korea	74,331	6,923	107,365
22	Thailand	62,565	9,850	63,517
23	Kazakhstan	61,894	2,692	229,903
24	Iran	59,927	4,956	120,907
25	Taiwan	53,543	5,058	105,866
26	Syria	50,344	5,036	99,968
27	Turkiye	47,487	2,467	192,489
28	Indonesia	30,582	4,271	71,605
29	Guatemala	29,978	3,385	88,551
30	Sudan	28,416	3,245	87,565
31	Italy	27,870	3,510	79,402
32	Tunisia	25,426	2,279	111,571
33	Azerbaijan	24,165	2,324	103,966
34	Romania	22,500	5,200	43,269
35	Chile	21,647	1,776	121,868
36	Belarus	21,444	1,852	115,795
37	Japan	20,714	2,602	79,610
38	Poland	20,500	2,100	97,619
39	France	19,430	4,360	44,564
40	Albania	19,039	1,174	162,183
41	Mali	18,101	1,305	138,708
42	Venezuela	14,679	1,633	89,880
43	Niger	14,358	976	147,140
44	Angola	13,075	970	134,759
45	Tajikistan	11,494	777	147,965
46	Morocco	11,180	2,655	42,110
47	Cuba	10,689	1,710	62,524
48	Colombia	10,688	707	151,213
49	Moldova	8,300	3,500	23,714
50	Armenia	8,295	856	96,903
51	Greece	6,400	650	98,462
52	Portugal	6,200	570	108,772
53	Tanzania	6,186	1,723	35,911
54	Philippines	5,885	2,420	24,317
55	Hungary	5,480	820	66,829
56	Oman	5,207	221	235,696
57	Libya	4,842	854	56,670
58	Bosnia and Herzegovina	4,676	668	70,000
59	North Macedonia	4,440	926	47,948
60	Iraq	3,655	556	65,737
61	Kenya	3,486	300	116,283
62	Serbia	3,373	1,311	25,728
63	Yemen	3,248	438	74,114
64	Turkmenistan	3,143	315	99,743
65	Dominican Republic	3,023	397	76,224
66	Georgia	2,800	600	46,667
67	Lebanon	2,764	287	96,437
68	Madagascar	2,584	400	64,553
69	Bolivia	2,558	551	46,406
70	Jordan	2,317	99	234,030
71	Nigeria	2,250	172	130,681
72	Netherlands	2,170	160	135,625
73	Canada	1,973	895	22,045
74	New Zealand	1,928	314	61,381
75	Mongolia	1,604	356	45,064
76	Austria	1,470	270	54,444
77	Bulgaria	1,290	340	37,941
78	Ecuador	1,288	841	15,325
79	Slovakia	1,090	140	77,857
80	Czech Republic	1,030	270	38,148
81	Haiti	1,027	39	264,192
82	Croatia	970	220	44,091
83	Montenegro	946	248	38,097
84	Uruguay	885	155	57,111
85	Latvia	870	240	36,250
86	Malawi	743	114	65,024
87	Slovenia	740	160	46,250
88	Palestine	699	67	104,224
89	Israel	670	421	15,901
90	Lithuania	670	450	14,889
91	Malta	480	-	-
92	Kuwait	458	8	570,136
93	Switzerland	396	82	48,293
94	Timor-Leste	394	196	20,111
95	Estonia	300	70	42,857
96	Bhutan	297	123	24,062
97	Paraguay	218	157	13,885
98	Zimbabwe	212	47	45,479
99	Honduras	192	54	35,632
100	Cabo Verde	86	17	51,142
101	Sweden	80	20	40,000
102	Finland	50	40	12,500
103	Mauritius	49	7	70,000

Cultivation of Garlic

Garlic is a relatively easy crop to grow and can be grown in many different types of soil and climates.

Here are some of the key steps involved in the cultivation of garlic:

Soil preparation: Garlic grows best in loose, well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. The soil should be prepared by adding compost or other organic matter and by tilling to a depth of 6-8 inches.
Planting: Garlic is usually planted in the fall, several weeks before the first frost. The cloves are planted about 2 inches deep and 4-6 inches apart, with the pointed end facing up. The cloves should be covered with soil and mulched with straw or other organic material to protect them from the cold.
Watering: Garlic needs regular watering, especially during dry spells. However, it is important not to overwater, as garlic can rot if the soil is too wet.
Fertilization: Garlic should be fertilized with a balanced fertilizer about a month after planting, and again in the spring when the leaves begin to emerge.
Pest and disease control: Garlic is relatively resistant to pests and diseases, but it can be susceptible to fungal diseases such as white rot and purple blotch. These can be controlled by using crop rotation, avoiding overhead watering, and using fungicides if necessary.
Harvesting: Garlic is usually ready to harvest in late spring or early summer when the leaves begin to yellow and the bulbs are plump. The bulbs should be carefully dug up and allowed to dry in a warm, well-ventilated area for several weeks.

Garlic is a relatively low-maintenance crop that can be grown in many different types of soil and climates. With proper soil preparation, planting, watering, and fertilization, you can produce a bountiful crop of flavorful and nutritious garlic.

Health Benefits of Garlic

Garlic has been used for its medicinal properties for centuries, and there is a growing body of scientific evidence to support its health benefits.

Here are some of the health benefits of garlic:

Boosts Immunity: Garlic is packed with immune-boosting compounds, including allicin, which has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties.
Lowers Blood Pressure: Garlic is believed to help lower blood pressure by relaxing the smooth muscles of the blood vessels, making them wider, and reducing resistance to blood flow.
Reduces Cholesterol: Studies have shown that garlic can lower levels of LDL cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol) while increasing levels of HDL cholesterol (the "good" cholesterol).
Fights Infections: Garlic has potent antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, which makes it an effective remedy for various infections.
May Help Prevent Cancer: Garlic contains sulfur compounds that have been shown to have anti-cancer properties. Studies suggest that regular consumption of garlic may help prevent certain types of cancer, such as stomach and colon cancer.
Improves Heart Health: Garlic has been shown to help improve various markers of heart health, such as reducing triglycerides and improving blood vessel function.
May Improve Brain Function: Some studies suggest that garlic may have cognitive benefits, such as improving memory and reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease.
Supports Digestion: Garlic has been used for centuries to aid digestion, and studies suggest that it may help stimulate digestive enzymes and improve gut health.

Overall, garlic is a versatile and powerful natural remedy that can provide a wide range of health benefits. However, it is important to note that garlic should not be used as a substitute for medical treatment and should be consumed in moderation as excessive consumption may cause digestive issues.

Nutritional Information of Garlic

Here is the approximate nutritional information for garlic per 100 grams:

Calories: 149 kcal
Carbohydrates: 33.06 grams
Protein: 6.36 grams
Fat: 0.5 grams
Fiber: 2.1 grams

It's important to note that these values may vary slightly depending on the specific variety and freshness of the garlic.

Structure of Garlic

Garlic is a bulbous plant that belongs to the same family as onions, shallots, and leeks. The plant grows from a bulb, which is composed of some individual cloves that are covered in thin, papery skin.

Here are some of the key structural features of garlic:

Bulb: The bulb of the garlic plant is round or oval in shape, and is composed of a number of individual cloves. The cloves are tightly packed together and are held in place by a thin, papery skin.
Leaves: The leaves of the garlic plant are long and narrow and are arranged in a rosette around the base of the stem. The leaves are typically green in color and have a slightly waxy texture.
Stem: The stem of the garlic plant is long and slender and grows from the center of the rosette of leaves. The stem is usually hollow and can reach a height of up to 3 feet.
Flowers: The garlic plant produces small, white, or pink flowers on a tall, slender stalk. However, most commercial garlic is grown for bulbs rather than flowers.
Roots: The roots of the garlic plant are long and slender and grow from the bottom of the bulb. The roots anchor the plant in the soil and absorb nutrients and water.

Garlic is a relatively simple plant in terms of its structure, but it has a complex flavor and a wide range of culinary and medicinal uses. Its distinctive flavor and aroma come from several sulfur-containing compounds, including allicin, which is released when the cloves are crushed or chopped.

Types of Garlic

There are several types of garlic, each with its unique flavor and characteristics. Here are some of the most common types of garlic:

Softneck Garlic: Softneck garlic is the most common type of garlic found in supermarkets. It has a mild flavor and is ideal for storing for an extended period. It is often used for making garlic powder and is commonly used in Italian cuisine.
Hardneck Garlic: Hardneck garlic has a stronger flavor than softneck garlic and is known for its complex and rich flavor profile. It is commonly used in French cuisine and is ideal for roasting and grilling.
Elephant Garlic: Elephant garlic is not a true garlic but a member of the leek family. It has a milder flavor than traditional garlic and is much larger, with a single bulb weighing up to one pound. It is often used in soups and stews.
Rocambole Garlic: Rocambole garlic has a strong and bold flavor profile and is commonly used in Mediterranean cuisine. It has a thin skin that is easy to peel and a bulb that is divided into several cloves.
Purple Stripe Garlic: Purple stripe garlic has a slightly spicy and robust flavor and is often used in Middle Eastern and Eastern European cuisine. It has a distinctive purple streaking on its outer bulb wrapper and can be easily grown in cold climates.
Creole Garlic: Creole garlic has a mild and sweet flavor and is commonly used in Cajun cuisine. It has a distinctive bulb shape, with a flat bottom and a rounded top.

These are just a few of the many types of garlic available, each with its unique flavor and characteristics. The type of garlic you choose will depend on your personal preference and the dish you are preparing.

Uses of Garlic

Garlic is a versatile ingredient that is widely used in cooking for its flavor and aroma.

Here are some common uses of garlic:

Cooking: Garlic is used in many savory dishes around the world, including pasta, pizza, stir-fry, and curries. It can be used fresh, minced, chopped, sliced, or roasted.
Seasoning: Garlic can be used as a seasoning in a variety of dishes, including soups, stews, sauces, and marinades. It can also be added to dressings, dips, and spreads.
Health benefits: For centuries, garlic has been utilized as a natural treatment for different health problems. It is thought to possess antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory qualities, which could potentially enhance the immune system, decrease cholesterol levels, and mitigate the risk of cardiovascular illness.
Pest control: Garlic is a natural insect repellent and can be used to deter pests in the garden. It can also be used to repel mosquitoes and other insects when applied to the skin.
Preserving: Garlic can be pickled or fermented to preserve it for later use. Pickled garlic can be added to salads, sandwiches, and other dishes for added flavor.
Aesthetic: Garlic can be used for its aesthetic appeal, such as in floral arrangements or as decoration in the kitchen.